A Seamless Wood Design® Case Study in Collaboration with Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) The Robert Day Sciences Center at Claremont McKenna College redefines what a modern academic building can be, bringing together architecture, material, and human connection in a single experience. Designed by Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), the 135,000 square foot structure is composed of stacked rotating volumes that symbolize the movement of ideas between disciplines. For MADERA, it became a chance to demonstrate the full potential of our Seamless Wood Design® system at an extraordinary scale.
Distinctive volumes stacked on top of another defines the Robert Day Sciences Center's stands as a marvel of innovation on the Claremont Mckenna College campus.
MADERA’s work focused on realizing the building’s architectural rhythm through the precision of wood craftsmanship. Across the vast interior, Douglas Fir finished in clear coat was used to wrap structural trusses, bridge levels, and define gathering spaces, transforming steel and concrete into a warm, cohesive environment.
Each floor connects to the one below, supported by triangular steel trusses clad in Douglas Fir. The texture, rhythm, and geometry of these trusses carry through to the exterior, creating a continuous visual flow from inside to outside. Through Seamless Wood Design®, MADERA achieved smooth transitions with concealed joins, highlighting the purity of the material while improving acoustics and creating a calm atmosphere.
This work reflects our belief that natural materials, when designed with care, can bring warmth and connection to even the most ambitious architectural projects.
Looking up through the geometric truss system reveals the precision and beauty of large-scale timber construction.
Implementing Seamless Wood Design® at the commercial and institutional scale required close coordination between MADERA and BIG. Each wood element was precisely engineered to fit within the building’s complex geometry, including multiple rotations and the large central atrium. The result is a unified interior that maintains consistency in tone and texture across every surface.
The Douglas Fir was finished in clear coat to enhance its natural beauty and grain while providing durability suitable for a busy academic environment. The material provides both strength and comfort, balancing technical performance with the sensory warmth that defines MADERA’s approach to design.
Massive trusses clad in MADERA’s Douglas Fir frame this multi-level gathering space with striking architectural presence.
MADERA's finishes bring warmth and natural character to expansive public areas.
As Claremont McKenna’s president Hiram E. Chodosh described, the architecture embodies a revolutionary vision for learning and connection. MADERA’s contribution brings that vision to life. The use of wood throughout the atrium, staircases, and social areas encourages people to gather, interact, and reflect.
The large staircase and café at the center of the building form a natural hub for conversation and relaxation. The warm tone of Douglas Fir fuels a sense of social warmth, while its seamless continuity invites a deeper sense of calm and belonging within the building.
The Robert Day Sciences Center illuminated at dusk against the San Gabriel Mountains backdrop.
A New Benchmark for Seamless Wood Design®
The Robert Day Sciences Center stands as a landmark in both design and construction:
Scale: 135,000 square feet of multidisciplinary learning space
Wood Species: Douglas Fir finished in clear coat
Scope: Full integration of MADERA’s Seamless Wood Design® system throughout atriums, bridges, and structural trusses
Collaboration: Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) and MADERA
This project demonstrates that Seamless Wood Design® is not limited by scale. It is an architectural language capable of transforming large institutional spaces into environments of beauty, connection, and human centered design.
